In some ways I felt this was better than the first, in some ways I felt it was worse.

Ways it was better:- Tauriel- Action sequences were about half as silly as they were in AUJ and twice as badass. The action sequence as they were heading down the river is a particular delight with just the right balance of absurdity and spectacle.- The soundtrack was leagues better than it was in the first. In the first it was moody Lonely Mountain theme, somber Lonely Mountain theme, ominous Lonely Mountain theme, action-y Lonely Mountain theme and a couple of tracks you might remember from the Lord of the Rings. Desolation of Smaug on the other hand has a slew of brand new tracks, my absolute favorite being the theme of Laketown.- Tauriel~ <3- Really nifty effects, it was nice to see Gandalf finally doing wizardy things other than the occasional weaksauce spell. One effect in particular in Don Guldur (you'll know the one) was absolutely fantastic despite just being thrown-in foreshadowing/fanservice.- All in all, just a better flow with less moments that felt dragged out (though there still are quite a few)- Did I mention Tauriel? She's pretty awesome. And quite lovely.

Ways it was worse:- A lot more pointless *nudge, wink* cameos and references to Lord of the Rings.- There was one thing in particularI wanted to point out and that was the way it ended, it left me feeling like nothing significant really happened and highlights the silliness of making The Hobbit into a trilogy.

Even though a trilogy is telling one long story, each entry in the trilogy should be telling it's own story. Anyone can tell you this, and all the good trilogies do it really well. Calling this 'the desolation of Smaug' and ending it before Smaug is properly dealt with just makes the whole movie feel like 3 hours of filler.

« Last Edit: December 13, 2013, 10:21:49 AM by Klutz64 »

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My Blog -It's about gaming stuff. You can read it if you want. No pressure. I mean, there's a link there you just have to click on, but... y'know... whatever.Current Post: Grand Re-re-r-e-re-opening!

In some ways I felt this was better than the first, in some ways I felt it was worse.

Ways it was better:- Tauriel- Action sequences were about half as silly as they were in AUJ and twice as badass. The action sequence as they were heading down the river is a particular delight with just the right balance of absurdity and spectacle.- The soundtrack was leagues better than it was in the first. In the first it was moody Lonely Mountain theme, somber Lonely Mountain theme, ominous Lonely Mountain theme, action-y Lonely Mountain theme and a couple of tracks you might remember from the Lord of the Rings. Desolation of Smaug on the other hand has a slew of brand new tracks, my absolute favorite being the theme of Laketown.- Tauriel~ <3- Really nifty effects, it was nice to see Gandalf finally doing wizardy things other than the occasional weaksauce spell. One effect in particular in Don Guldur (you'll know the one) was absolutely fantastic despite just being thrown-in foreshadowing/fanservice.- All in all, just a better flow with less moments that felt dragged out (though there still are quite a few)- Did I mention Tauriel? She's pretty awesome. And quite lovely.

Ways it was worse:- Actually, considering it's almost 4am there was really only one thing I wanted to point out and that was the way it ended, it left me feeling like nothing significant really happened and highlights the silliness of making The Hobbit into a trilogy.

Even though a trilogy is telling one long story, each entry in the trilogy should be telling it's own story. Anyone can tell you this, and all the good trilogies do it really well. Calling this 'the desolation of Smaug' and ending it before Smaug is properly dealt with just makes the whole movie feel like 3 hours of filler.Forgive me if you read this before I have time to edit it when I'm not half asleep.

Goddamn. I was worried that they were going to do that (granted I was also wondering how they were going to make an entire movie out of just the Battle of the Five Armies and the epilogue). Basically, they really had no reason or business in making this into a trilogy.

I finally sat down and watched this. I've been meaning to forever. I'm glad I did, as it was a great movie!The thing that wowed me the most was the cinematography. This whole movie was stunning. It makes you want to go there. Definitely my kind of land. I loved all the scenes with the Indian tribe, and seeing how they live. I wonder how accurate it is. I also wonder about the dark side of living like this, but I understand why they wouldn't want to show that.The romance between John and Stands was way too easy to predict, and totally cliche. Plus, they got married too fast! I really liked Kicking Bird, and figured he was doomed. I'm glads they didn't go that route. But why did they feel the need to kill the wolf! That pissed me off. On that point, the movie sure makes "white man" out to be nothing but villainous. Well, except for a few. The reality is really the opposite, as we know. Most people, of all colors and creeds, are good people, with a few exceptions. This movies makes me sad for the Indians, which is exactly what it intended to do. To think such beautiful, and noble, people were slaughtered to the point of near "extinction" is just embarrassing for our nation. Another classic movie I can cross off the list. Movies like this are why I love movies so much.

Finally catching up with the Daniel Craig Bond films. This was fun, but with a lot of reservations. For one, it was too darn long. Especially since just when you think it's about to end, it starts right back up again. I also get tired of ordinary people being able to take endless beatings and keep on going. Or being able to jump from 20' high and not break their legs. Tell me these guys have titanium exo-skeletons and I'm totally on board. Otherwise, please try, just a little, to maintain some sense of realism.I also get so sick of everyone double-crossing everyone else. I expect it in a movie like this, but come ON. I just gave up and rolled my eyes 360 degrees at the last one. Ok, that was my negative stuff. On the positive side, I thought the movie was well written, acted, directed, etc. I like that they took some efforts to make Bond, as a character, more human. There was some gritty stuff here, and it works. Daniel Craig made for a great Bond, and I look forward to seeing the next two. Eva Green was great, too, and beautiful to boot. I understand Quantam isn't quite as good, but I'll watch it so I can get to Skyfall.

In some ways I felt this was better than the first, in some ways I felt it was worse.

Ways it was better:- Tauriel- Action sequences were about half as silly as they were in AUJ and twice as badass. The action sequence as they were heading down the river is a particular delight with just the right balance of absurdity and spectacle.- The soundtrack was leagues better than it was in the first. In the first it was moody Lonely Mountain theme, somber Lonely Mountain theme, ominous Lonely Mountain theme, action-y Lonely Mountain theme and a couple of tracks you might remember from the Lord of the Rings. Desolation of Smaug on the other hand has a slew of brand new tracks, my absolute favorite being the theme of Laketown.- Tauriel~ <3- Really nifty effects, it was nice to see Gandalf finally doing wizardy things other than the occasional weaksauce spell. One effect in particular in Don Guldur (you'll know the one) was absolutely fantastic despite just being thrown-in foreshadowing/fanservice.- All in all, just a better flow with less moments that felt dragged out (though there still are quite a few)- Did I mention Tauriel? She's pretty awesome. And quite lovely.

Ways it was worse:- A lot more pointless *nudge, wink* cameos and references to Lord of the Rings.- There was one thing in particularI wanted to point out and that was the way it ended, it left me feeling like nothing significant really happened and highlights the silliness of making The Hobbit into a trilogy.

Even though a trilogy is telling one long story, each entry in the trilogy should be telling it's own story. Anyone can tell you this, and all the good trilogies do it really well. Calling this 'the desolation of Smaug' and ending it before Smaug is properly dealt with just makes the whole movie feel like 3 hours of filler.

I do however want to echo the well orchestrated action sequences were done REALLY well IMO.

The only point I disagree with is the fact that I actually like how they are padding it out, including crap and stretching it into a somewhat unorthodox trilogy. While I certainly find most peoples complaints about the move justifiable, I have yet to really feel like anything that has contributed to the length of the trilogy to be irrelevant. That is, while they clearly are stretching things, they are doing so with quality material that adds to the films narrative.

Ok.... so MAYBE the dwarves introduction at the beginning of the first film felt longwinded.... but everything there-after felt like it fit JUST RIGHT for my taste.

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In this world is the destiny of mankind controlled by some transcedental entity or law? is it like the hand of god hovering above? Perhaps Man has no control even over his own will…

All right, we are going to use a fan brush here and uh why don't you take some hunter green and we are going to put a happy little bush right down over here in the corner there and that'll just be our little secret and if you tell anyone that that bush is there I will come to your house and I will cut you.

....so... this is what they mean when they say "over-directing" is a bad thing.

Some of the shots and effects are really strong, but the film leaves so little room to for the viewer to take a break; it feels like dialogue is always second or third to every other sight and sound -- and it never stops (and the curious choice to use Jay Z's "greatest shits" in the back is just distracting even if I don't think he's a bad artist, other musical choices did work though). The cast is well put together, so there is some enjoyment. But in the end, I felt little about it and it really drags on by the end (and with its, eugh, over 2hr screen time). It's good, just "over-cooked" a bit.The party is awesome and looks like good fun.

I do want to give a kudos to the actress playing Jordan. She did her part well and she's a fine miss to look at!On a weird side note too: I loved seeing DiCaprio freaking smile again! He looked like he did back in the 90s! I remember watching The Departed, Shutter Island, Inception, and Revolutionary Road he was just about any adjective for "sad" and "mad" for most of those films!

To me, the trailers have made it look at tad too whimsical. Like they're trying too hard. Plus, I'm not that much a fan of Stiller nowadays. Probably won't see it until video, regardless.

I gotta guy. I actually saw it almost a week ago. I actually enjoyed it. It is a bit whimsical, but I found it entertaining. I don't really like Stiller, but he was pretty good in it. Also..fuck reviews. I hate movie review sites in general. Too many douche canoes

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All right, we are going to use a fan brush here and uh why don't you take some hunter green and we are going to put a happy little bush right down over here in the corner there and that'll just be our little secret and if you tell anyone that that bush is there I will come to your house and I will cut you.